Resources

American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA)AMTA is the premiere non-profit professional association in the Massage Therapy field. Founded in 1943, the AMTA represents more than 58,000 massage therapists in 27 countries. AMTA works to establish massage therapy as integral to the maintenance of good health and complementary to other therapeutic processes; to advance the profession through ethics and standards, certification, school accreditation, continuing education, professional publications, legislative efforts, public education and fostering the development of members.

The American Massage Therapy Association is the only national non-profit massage therapy association, an association of massage therapists for massage therapists, dedicated to serving members while advancing the massage therapy profession. We have a history of commitment to service through standards that advance the profession, and engaging members in leadership roles to ensure value and relevance to members. Lead by a Board of Directors elected by the members, AMTA has chapters in all 50 states and Washington, DC--providing volunteer opportunities, leadership development and continuing education locally.

AMTA has open communications with members, to learn your opinions and what is important to you. We use those ideas and views when we make decisions. AMTA's strength comes from listening to members like you and incorporating your perspectives into what we do.

The Massage Therapy Foundation was founded by AMTA in 1990 with the mission of bringing the benefits of massage therapy to the broadest spectrum of society through the generation, dissemination and application of knowledge in this field. We do this by receiving donations and granting funds for research, community service, educational initiatives and conferences.

We also do this by providing direct consultation to the medical and research communities and by educating massage therapists about the world of research. For more information, see Massage Therapy Foundation.

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and BodyworkThe National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) is an independent, private, nonprofit organization founded in 1992. The mission of NCBTMB is to define and advance the highest standards in the massage therapy and bodywork profession. In support of this mission, NCBTMB serves the profession through Board Certification, Approved Providers, and Assigned Schools.

In January 2013, NCBTMB introduced the Board Certification credential. This credential requires that certificants pass the Board Certification exam and complete 750 hours of education, 250 hours of hands-on work experience, pass a background check, commit to oppose human trafficking, and hold a current CPR certificate.

Until 2013, we previously offered National Certification—a credential that was the first of its kind in the massage therapy and bodywork profession. With the introduction of Board Certification, the highest, voluntary credential available, we have begun phasing out National Certification. As of December 31, 2016, all Nationally Certified practitioners will either need to transition to Board Certification or their credential will no longer be valid.

For more information about NCBTMB and the NCBTMB Board Certification credential, go to the NCBTMB website.

Federation of State Massage Therapy BoardsThe mission of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) is to support its Member Boards in their work to ensure that the practice of massage therapy is provided to the public in a safe and effective manner. In carrying out this mission, the Federation ensures the provision of a valid, reliable licensing examination to determine entry-level competence.

The examination developed by the FSMTB on behalf of its Member Boards is the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). To ensure the examination reflects current practice, a Job Task Analysis Survey was developed with contributions by over 50 content experts under the guidance of 15 testing and psychometric experts. The Job Task Analysis was further validated by input from 7,646 massage, bodywork and somatic professionals representing every state in the USA. The MBLEx is administered through Pearson VUE at high-security test centers across the United States

The mission of the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards (FSMTB) is to support its Member Boards in their work to ensure that the practice of massage therapy is provided to the public in a safe and effective manner. In carrying out this mission, the Federation ensures the provision of a valid, reliable licensing examination to determine entry-level competence.

The examination developed by the FSMTB on behalf of its Member Boards is the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). To ensure the examination reflects current practice, a Job Task Analysis Survey was developed with contributions by over 50 content experts under the guidance of 15 testing and psychometric experts. The Job Task Analysis was further validated by input from 7,646 massage, bodywork and somatic professionals representing every state in the USA. The MBLEx is administered through Pearson VUE at high-security test centers across the United States